Subject
Norwegian drama -- Translations into English Books
Best books
Henrik Ibsen
A Doll's House : a play
"A Doll's House : a play by Henrik Ibsen" is a three-act play written in 1879. Set in a Norwegian town, it follows Nora Helmer, a married woman navigating life in a male-dominated society where opportunities for self-fulfillment are scarce. When a figure from her past threatens to expose a secret financial transgression, Nora faces a crisis that challenges everything she knows about her marriage and identity. The play sparked outraged controversy upon its premiere and remains one of the most performed works in theater history.
Henrik Ibsen
Hedda Gabler
"Hedda Gabler" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1890 and premiered in 1891. It dramatizes the story of Hedda, a general's daughter trapped in a loveless marriage and desperate for control over her own life. When her husband's academic rival—a former lover—reappears with his rehabilitated life and brilliant manuscript, Hedda's jealousy and manipulations set tragic events in motion. As she schemes to influence the fates of those around her, she finds herself increasingly cornered by circumstances and a sinister family friend who threatens her freedom.
Henrik Ibsen
An Enemy of the People
"An Enemy of the People" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1882 that explores the clash between truth and societal pressure. Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers dangerous contamination in his town's new spa baths and decides to expose the threat to public health. His decision triggers fierce opposition from local leaders, including his own brother, who fear economic ruin. As the community turns against him, Stockmann faces professional and personal consequences for challenging the establishment and refusing to compromise his principles.
Henrik Ibsen
Ghosts
"Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1881. This controversial drama follows widow Helen Alving as she prepares to dedicate an orphanage in memory of her unfaithful late husband. When her son Oswald returns home, long-buried family secrets begin to surface, threatening to destroy the carefully maintained façade of respectability. The play explores the devastating consequences of following society's moral code, confronting taboo subjects that scandalized 19th-century audiences and challenged conventional notions of duty, truth, and maternal sacrifice.
Henrik Ibsen
The Master Builder
"The Master Builder" by Henrik Ibsen is a play published in 1892. When a young woman named Hilda arrives at the home of Halvard Solness, a successful master builder, she claims they met years ago and that he made her extraordinary promises. As Hilda insinuates herself into his household and encourages his ambitions, Solness becomes convinced he possesses mysterious powers to will events into existence. This psychological drama blends realistic characters with symbolic elements, exploring obsession, ambition, and the dangerous allure of youth.
Henrik Ibsen
The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 04 (of 11)
"The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 04 (of 11)" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of drama, specifically a dramatic poem titled "Peer Gynt," written during the mid-19th century. This work presents a combination of fantastical and satirical elements that follow the life and adventures of the titular character, Peer Gynt, a complex and imaginative young man from the Norwegian countryside who engages in numerous escapades and self-deceptions. The opening of "Peer Gynt" introduces the main character, Peer, and his tense relationship with his mother, Åse, who chastises him for his tendency to embellish stories and avoid responsibility. As Peer recounts a seemingly outlandish tale about his hunting exploits, his mother expresses disbelief and frustration, reflecting on their family's diminished circumstances. Their interaction sets the stage for Peer's character development, as he dreams of greatness while grappling with the disappointment of his current life. This lively exchange showcases Ibsen's characteristic blend of humor and pathos, establishing a rich foundation for the adventure and self-discovery that will unfold throughout the poem.
Henrik Ibsen
The wild duck : $b A drama in five acts
"The Wild Duck" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1884. It follows the Ekdal family, whose fragile domestic peace is destroyed when an idealistic outsider insists on exposing long-buried secrets. Gregers Werle returns from exile determined to reveal the truth about his father's relationship with his friend's wife, believing honesty will liberate them. Instead, his revelations threaten to tear the family apart, forcing them to confront painful questions about love, legitimacy, and the cost of truth versus the comfort of illusion.
Henrik Ibsen
The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 07 (of 11)
"The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 07 (of 11)" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of dramatic works from the late 19th century. This volume includes the renowned plays "A Doll’s House" and "Ghosts," both of which explore complex themes of morality, social norms, and the intricacies of human relationships. The main character in "A Doll’s House," Nora, is portrayed as a seemingly frivolous woman who undergoes a profound personal awakening, while "Ghosts" delves into familial legacy and societal hypocrisy. The opening of "A Doll’s House" introduces us to Nora Helmer, who is bustling about her home in the excitement of preparing for Christmas. She engages in playful banter with her husband, Torvald Helmer, showcasing their seemingly happy but complex relationship. As Nora remembers her past struggles, including the sacrifices she made for Torvald's health, we glimpse her inner turmoil and the weight of a secret that threatens to disrupt their domestic bliss. The scene sets up the tensions that will unravel as the plot progresses, hinting at Nora's journey of self-discovery and the challenging realities of her marriage.
Henrik Ibsen
When We Dead Awaken
"When We Dead Awaken" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1899. Sculptor Arnold Rubek encounters Irena, the model who inspired his greatest masterpiece years ago. Both feel spiritually dead since their collaboration ended—he trapped in fame without inspiration, she convinced he stole her soul for art. As they reunite at a mountain spa, their tangled past resurfaces alongside dangerous obsessions. Meanwhile, Arnold's neglected wife seeks freedom elsewhere. The pairs ascend toward an uncertain fate as a storm gathers.
Henrik Ibsen
The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 01 (of 11)
"The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 01 (of 11)" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of dramatic works written in the late 19th century. This volume includes three plays: "Lady Inger of Östråt," "The Feast at Solhoug," and "Love's Comedy." These works explore intricate themes of power dynamics, societal norms, and personal struggles, with characters that navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and familial duty. At the start of "Lady Inger of Östråt," the stage is set in the dramatic backdrop of Norway in 1528, where Lady Inger is at the center of an impending conflict. We find her receiving guests and grappling with a sense of national degradation under Danish rule, exemplified through the discussions among her servants and peasants about rising against their oppressors. The opening introduces tensions surrounding Lady Inger’s ambitions for her family and her struggles with the looming threats posed by the political landscape. The scene is charged with emotions as Elina, her daughter, reflects on the weight of their heritage and the sacrifices made for power, setting the foundation for the intricate relationships and moral dilemmas that will unfold throughout the play.
Henrik Ibsen
Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts
"Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1881. Mrs. Alving prepares to dedicate an orphanage in memory of her late husband, concealing his scandalous past. When her son Oswald returns home, devastating secrets emerge about inheritance, forbidden love, and the consequences of upholding society's moral code. The play's frank treatment of taboo subjects sparked immediate controversy, yet it became recognized as a groundbreaking work that questioned whether following conventional morality leads to tragedy.
Henrik Ibsen
The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05 (of 11)
"The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of theatrical works written in the late 19th century. This volume includes the play "Emperor and Galilean," which is a historical drama centered around the life and struggles of Emperor Julian, known as "Julian the Apostate." As Ibsen explores Julian's internal conflicts, the play delves into themes of faith, power, and the battle between paganism and Christianity during a pivotal time in Roman history. At the start of "Emperor and Galilean," we are introduced to an intriguing blend of characters in the court of Emperor Constantius on Easter night. Amidst the chaos of rival factions and the looming threat of violence against non-Christians, young Julian grapples with his identity and the expectations of those around him. Tensions rise as he faces pressures from his family and the court while shaking off the influence of both Christian and pagan philosophies. In this early scene, the historical setting becomes palpable as Julian's internal struggle unfolds against the backdrop of religious and political turbulence, setting the stage for his eventual apostasy.
Recently surfaced classics